Ophthalmic fluid

Abstract

An ophthalmic fluid containing at least one triglyceride, diglyceride, or monoglyceride which is chemically similar or compatible with compounds found naturally in the lipid layer of the tear film of an ocular substrate. Preferably the glycerides are derived from a fatty acid containing at least one unsaturated bond in a cis-configuration in the fatty acid residue. The ophthalmic fluid is arranged in use to provide a protective film across a tear film of an ocular substrate. Furthermore, the ophthalmic fluid is also arranged in use to provide a protective film intermediate a lipid layer of the tear film of the ocular substrate and a contact lens.

1. A method of providing a protective film intermediate a lipid layer of a tear film of an ocular substrate and a contact lens, comprising topically applying to an inner surface of the contact lens a coat of an ophthalmic fluid and subsequently applying the coated inner surface of the contact lens to the ocular substrate, wherein the ophthalmic fluid consists essentially of at least one glyceride of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  is O—CO—R; or R 1 ═R 3  is O—CO—R when R 2  is OH; or R 1  is O—CO—R when R 2 ═R 3 ═OH; R is a fatty acid residue comprising 16–20 carbon atoms and containing at least one unsaturated bond, and R is the same or different when R 1 ═R 3  or R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3 . 
       
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that irritation to the ocular substrate associated with the application of the contact lens to the ocular substrate is reduced. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the method reinforces the lipid layer of the tear film of the ocular substrate upon application of the contact lens to the ocular substrate. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fatty acid residue contains at least one unsaturated bond in a cis-configuration. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the ophthalmic fluid contains at least one triglyceride, diglyceride, or monoglyceride derived from linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid or mixtures thereof.